Page 66 of Lyon of Scotland
“Now what?” Charles asked his father. “What do we do now?”
“Uhh,” Dove said.
“I sent the maid to fetch a constable,” Nell said. “Your father could be charged for assault and threatening Lady Strathburn. Do you want ice for your head, Mr. Dove?”
“Uhhnnh,” Dove said.
“Sorry, we have no ice today,” Nell snapped. Hannah suppressed a nervous laugh, uncertain whether to laugh or cry.
“Thank you, Lady Cameron,” she simply said.
“A good housekeeper is worth her weight in gold,” Nell said.
“So is a good sister-in-law. Sir Frederic, do not move. Stay there. We should fetch a doctor for you.”
“Eventually,” Nell muttered. “Perhaps.”
“Miss Gor—Lady Strathburn. Lady Cameron,” Charles said. “Truly, I did not mean for any of this to happen. I do not even know half of what he was saying to you!” He shook his head, holding the cloth to catch the blood trickling down Dove’s temple.
“Why did you tell him about the drawings, Charley? I shared a secret with you. I trusted you. They are my property, and do not belong to the College of Arms. I did that work on my own.”
“I am sorry. He was upset after a meeting with Sir George—he went in demanding that I have more responsibility. So I told him the drawings were already done and perhaps you would send them to Sir George and I could finish them. But I was wrong. He lost his wits over it and insisted we go north and take the drawings from you.”
“I want you to run that place,” Dove said. “Since you have no ambition for yourself, I must do it—”
“No, you must let me be,” Charles said. “And Lady Strathburn, too. I came with him to dissuade him,” he went on to Hannah. “I thought he might do violence over those sketches.”
“He might indeed,” Hannah said in wry tone.
“What sketches are these?” Nell asked, puzzled.
“The king’s Scottish armorials. I designed them and then I gave them to Dare.”
“Oh, well done,” Nell said. “He did say you were in the heraldry office in London. I had no idea about the rest.
“Father wants me to have the credit so Naylor and the king will be impressed. Otherwise I am worthless, he says.”
“You are,” Dove said. “I am making something of you. All for you—my estate—”
“Stop it,” Charles said.
“You are not worthless at all, Charley Dove,” Hannah said. “But the privilege of the new Scottish designs must stay with Scotland.”
“I agree. I told him so. But you know my father.”
“Oh, I do.”
“But why did he ask for money? He has plenty.”
“That is a long tale, my friend,” she said.
“A carriage! Must be the constable.” Nell went to the foyer to open the door.
“Is Hannah here? Have you seen a man called Dove?” Dare stepped inside with Linhope and Hugh Cameron. With a gasp of relief, Hannah hurried toward them.
Nell pointed. “They are in there. Lord Linhope, we need a doctor.”
“What the devil!” Dare held Hannah with one arm for an instant. “Are you fine?’
